Natural grapevines are an amazingly flexible material that can be used to create dried wreaths, candle rings and fireplace mantle decorations. Add a few red berries to the decorations for holiday décor that can be replaced each year, eliminating storage. Find grapevines in wooded areas, where the vines wrap around existing bushes and trees. Children can assist in finding and preparing the vines for decorations. These attractive dried grapevine decorations can also be given as homemade gifts.
Things You'll Need:
- Grapevines The Diameter Of A Pencil
- Hot Glue Gun
- 1 Yard Silk Ribbon, 1-Inch Wide
- Loppers
- 20 Silk Berries And 30 Silk Leaves
- Ruler
Make Grapevine Wreaths
Cut three grapevines to a length of 5 feet with the loppers. Remove all leaves and stems with the loppers.
Wind one vine into a circle measuring 2 feet in diameter, wrapping the ends around the vine in an in-and-out manner around the entire circle.
Wrap a second 5-foot vine around the vine circle. Wrap a third 5-foot vine around the circle.
Attach silk leaves and berries with the hot glue gun.
Make Grapevine Candle Rings
Cut three grapevines into 1-foot lengths with the loppers. Remove all leaves and stems.
Wind one 1-foot vine into a circle measuring 6-inches in diameter, wrapping the ends around the vine.
Wrap a second and third 1-foot vine around the vine circle. Attach silk leaves and berries with the hot glue gun.
Make Grapevine Fireplace Mantle Decorations
Measure the length of the mantle and multiply it by one-half. Cut three grapevines to the measurement and remove all leaves and stems.
Braid the three grapevines by holding them together and moving the outer vines to the inside.
Attach silk leaves and berries with the hot glue gun and place the dried grapevine braid on the fireplace mantle.
Tip
Dry all grapevines in a cool dry spot inside the house after you have shaped them into the wreath, candle ring or mantle decoration. Dry grapevines lose their flexibility.
References
- “Decorate Your Doors”; Edie Stockstill; 1996
- “Making Grapevine Wreaths”; Gayle O’Donnell; 1996
Tips
- Dry all grapevines in a cool dry spot inside the house after you have shaped them into the wreath, candle ring or mantle decoration. Dry grapevines lose their flexibility.
Writer Bio
Linda Shepard has been staff writer for "C & G Newspapers" for over 10 years, covering local government and crime and serving as the newspaper's food writer. She has written for "Michigan Meetings Magazine" and is also the owner of Spectacularstrolls.com, an online business of self-guided walking tours.
Related Articles
